VectorWorks Dimensions

While the dimension tools are very important and contain many options, their usage is very simple, as long as you keep them organized into classes, they are self explanatory and can be easily used.

Associativity

Dimensions are either associative or non-associative, an associative dimension keeps its connection with the vertices that it is measuring (these are shown in small red squares), you can edit them using (Modify -> Edit Constraints)

Usual Dimensions

Linear, Radial, Angular, Center Mark and Datum dimensions are the usual dimensions are very point-and-click interface.

Dynamic Measuring

Two tools provide dynamic measurements without creating a dimension object, these are:

• Tape Measurement Tool (for linear readings)
• Protractor Tool (for Angular readings)

Design/Sheet Dimensions

These are not really dimensions in the usual manner, but they really measure something so they are considered more of dimensions, they include:

• North Arrow
• Scale Bar
• Grid - Rectangular
• Grid - Polar
• Drawing Border

They all provide readings that is the same in the whole Design layer, so they don't need to be associative to any object, instead they are associative to the page.

Dimension Standards

The common dimension standards are:

• Arch (to have slash at the ends of dimension lines)
• ISO (to have arrows)

Annotating

Annotations can be mainly done using the usual Text Tool (1) and Callout Tool (Alt + 1), more specialized annotations can be used, like:

• Redline Note Tool
• Revision Cloud Tool
• Stipple Tool
• Room Name Simple Tool
• ID Label Tool
• Break Line Tool